By Jessica Keller, The Courier-Herald

An attempt to expand the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park by 800 acres at the Carbon River entrance will gain more steam in the United States Congress as Senator Maria Cantwell joins other Washington allies to pass the legislation.

Cantwell announced Thursday she was joining Reps. Jennifer Dunn and Norm Dicks in supporting the effort, and is filing Senate legislation that would expand the national park.

Cantwell's legislation is the Senate version of the expansion plan. Dunn initially sponsored a House bill, which passed the House Resources Committee last fall, but did not go to the Senate for vote.

The expansion is part of Mount Rainier National Park's latest general management plan, and the congressional authorization would allow for an addition to approximately 1,063 acres to the park.

The boundary expansion would provide for a new campground, picnic area and administrative facilities and would protect the Carbon River corridor.

According to the Park's 2002 Final Environmental Impact Statement and General Management plan, the expansion would protect additional areas along the Carbon River corridor adjacent to the park, including the protection of both scenic and natural resources, the road corridor of the west and protection of the Carbon River. Portions of the expansion also contain designated "critical habitat" for the threatened marbled murrelets.

Also according to the plan, the park addition would provide additional public recreation opportunities not currently available, including a new vehicular accessible campground, sites for group camping, additional miles for non-motorized hiking trails and additional riverbank fishing.

But a selling point in Congress is expected to be that it saves money.

The expansion would allow the National Park Service to develop a new vehicular accessible campground for the public along a section of the Carbon River.

The new campground would be in addition to the current Ipsut Creek campground, which would then only be accessed by foot of bicycle. The Ipsut Creek campground site frequently washes out from flooding, and money would be saved by eliminating the repairs made to the road every year.

However, the project itself costs money. If Congress approves the expansion it must approve funds for purchasing of land needed in the expansion. Two private land owners have already agreed to sell the land to the national park for the expansion. Land is also expected to be purchased from Plum Creek Timber Co.

Jessica Keller can be reached at jkeller@courierherald.com